Viewer-authored content acquisition and management system for in-the-moment broadcast in conjunction with media programs

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus, and system for providing viewer-derived content for broadcast presentation in conjunction with a broadcast of a media program by a provider of the media program is disclosed. The disclosed system and method (1) simplifies the process for viewers to provide viewer-authored media to broadcasters, while minimizing the data transmission requirements between portable viewer devices and the broadcaster, (2) allows advance approval for the broadcasters to use that viewer-generated content to generate and disseminate viewer-authored-content and (3) provides for management of viewer-generated content (4) integrates with social networks that can be used to at least preliminarily assess the popularity and suitability of the viewer-generated content for broadcast to other viewers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/897,172, entitled “VIEWER-AUTHORED CONTENT ACQUISITION ANDMANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR IN-THE-MOMENT BROADCAST IN CONJUNCTION WITH MEDIAPROGRAMS,” by Jason N. Phipps and Sally A. Daws, filed Oct. 29, 2013,which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for communicatingmedia programs and the promotion thereof, and specifically for a methodand apparatus for acquiring viewer-authored media, managing andrebroadcasting viewer-authored content generated from theviewer-authored media.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, media program providers typically scour the Internet to findviewer-authored media such as video, mimes, JPEGs (joint PhotographicExperts Group) and GIFs (Graphical Interchange Format) and the like forviewer-generated content that might be useful for purposes of generatingfurther interest in the media program among other viewers. After suchviewer-generated content is discovered, the media program provider ortheir agents must track down the source of the viewer-generated content,confirm authorship and the right to convey rights to theviewer-generated content, and negotiate for the acquisition of suchrights. All of these steps must be performed before the viewer-generatedcontent may be copied or used in a way that implicates the ownerscopyrights to the viewer-generated content.

The problem with such as system is that (1) the process itself isexpensive to implement (2) reproduction rights negotiated after themedia program provider has expressed interest, rather than before, hencethe reproduction rights can come at an artificially inflated price, (3)the process is time consuming to the point where many of the intendedaudience of the viewer-generated content have already experienced it,whether on the web or a social network, thus diluting its value.Accordingly, the media program provider appears to be a “me too”participant in the viewer generated content, rather than activelyinvolved in its discovery and enjoyment, as other viewers. It also makesit more difficult for the media program provider to “brand” theviewer-generated content as being sponsored by or sourced by the mediaprogram provider, thus diluting the value of the content itself.

Further, the generation and transmission of viewer-generated media fromviewer devices to the media program provider and the transmission ofcontent generated from the viewer-generated media and back to the viewerdevices can be throughput intensive. Although many viewers may wish tosubmit such viewer-generated content using portable devices such assmartphones, such devices typically communicate over third generation(3G) or fourth generation (4G) mobile data telecommunication networks.Such networks have limited bandwidth and viewers are typically chargedfor exceeding their allocated data transfer allotment for the billingperiod.

Further, it can be difficult for broadcasters to judge the potentialpopularity of viewer-generated content, especially in circumstances whenthe broadcaster is receiving large volumes of viewer-generated contentfrom a large number of viewers. At the same time, the broadcaster mustassure that the viewer-generated content will not offend a significantnumber of viewers or run askance of laws governing the suitability ofcontent for broadcast (e.g. Federal Communications Commission rulesagainst the broadcast of obscene or indecent programming or programmingincluding profane language at specific times of the day.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,304, issued to Harwell, et al. on Jun. 11, 2013discloses a system for receiving and distributing user-generated videocontent. The system receives video data from a client computing device,where the video data is captured using a camera connected to the clientcomputing device in accordance with instructions executed on the clientcomputing device to provide the video data in accordance withpredetermined constraints. The video data is automatically transcodedinto at least one different format based on user credentials associatedwith a user of the client computing device and/or attributes associatedwith the video data. At least one format of the transcoded video datadefines a video file in a format appropriate for inclusion in a lineartelevision programming transmission, and the transcoded video data isuploaded to a server for distribution. However, the Harwell systemcannot support the transmission of such processed video data to otherusers in near real time.

What is needed is a system and method for in-the-moment acquisition,management, of viewer-authored content and dissemination ofviewer-authored media generated from the viewer-authored contentrelevant to the demographic watching those media programs. The systemand methods described below satisfy these needs. The disclosed systemand method (1) simplifies the process for viewers to provideviewer-authored media to broadcasters, while minimizing the datatransmission requirements between portable viewer devices and thebroadcaster, (2) allows advance approval for the broadcasters to usethat viewer-generated content to generate and disseminateviewer-authored-content and (3) provides for management ofviewer-generated content (4) integrates with social networks that can beused to at least preliminarily assess the popularity and suitability ofthe viewer-generated content for broadcast to other viewers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the requirements described above, the present inventiondiscloses a method, apparatus, and system for providing viewer-derivedcontent for broadcast presentation in conjunction with a broadcast of amedia program by a provider of the media program. In one embodiment, themethod comprises receiving viewer registration information uniquelyassociated with a viewer via an application executing on a viewerdevice, the application for collecting the viewer registrationinformation, viewer-authored content and viewer-authored contentmetadata associated with the viewer-authored content receiving theviewer-authored content and the viewer-authored content metadata in acontent management system processing the viewer authored contentaccording to the viewer authored metadata to generate the viewer-derivedcontent, queuing the viewer-derived content with other viewer-derivedcontent generated from viewer-authored content from other viewers forconsideration for the broadcast presentation in conjunction with thebroadcast of the media program, determining if the viewer-derivedcontent complies with broadcast regulations or quality standards,selecting the viewer-derived content for broadcast presentation inconjunction with the live broadcast of the media program if theviewer-derived content complies with the broadcast regulations or thequality standards, and providing the viewer-derived content forbroadcast in conjunction with the live broadcast of the media program.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor, and a memorycoupled to the processor, wherein the memory storing a plurality ofinstructions comprising instructions for performing the aboveoperations.

In still another embodiment, a system comprises a viewer device,comprising a viewer device processor and a viewer device memory,communicatively coupled to the processor, and also comprises a viewerauthored content acquisition and management system (VACAMS) thatcomprises a VACAMS processor, a VACAMS memory, coupled to the VACAMSprocessor, the memory storing a plurality of instructions comprisinginstructions for performing the above operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a viewer-authored content acquisition andmanagement system (VACAMS);

FIGS. 2A-2B are diagrams illustrating exemplary process steps that canbe used in connection with the VACAMS;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the registration process;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of a device interface used forregistered users to sign in to the service or for unregistered users topreview the service;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a feed screen, a main menu screen, anda search screen;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing further details of the feed screen;

FIG. 7 illustrates an expanded version of feed screen that is displayedwhen the user taps a favorites control;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a trending screen;

FIG. 9 is one embodiment of device interface used to generate theviewer-authored content for submission to the VACAMS or possibledissemination to other viewers and possible broadcast in conjunctionwith the media program;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a capturescreen;

FIG. 11 is a diagram presenting a sharing screen;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a “terms and conditions” screen;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing screens that are presented by the device inresponse to the selection of the profile control;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing screens used to edit the viewer profile;

FIG. 15 is a diagram presenting a series of screens that can be providedso as to allow the user to utilize the device to edit their profile tochoose a profile photo;

FIG. 16 presents a series of screens by which the user may change whichother viewers they follow using the application executing on the device;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the exemplary profile posts action screen;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the main menu screen with a “channelfinder” control selected;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the “schedule” optionin the main menu screen;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the selection of a “settings” control;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the settings screen;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating how another viewer requests to followthe user;

FIG. 23 illustrates an analogous welcome screen for presentation withina computer's display;

FIG. 25 is a visual representation of the CMS management data stored inthe database;

FIGS. 26A-26C are diagrams of an exemplary user interface implemented bythe API;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps that can be used toautomatically collect, manage, and provide viewer-authored media contentfor consideration for broadcast presentation in conjunction with a livebroadcast of a media program; and

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 2600 thatcould be used to implement elements of the system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way ofillustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a viewer-authored content acquisition andmanagement system (VACAMS) 100. The VACAMS 100 accepts data such asviewer-authored content (VAC) from devices 102 such as mobile devices102A and desk/laptop devices 102B, converts the VAC to viewer-derivedcontent (VDC) and provides that VDC for distribution to other users byanalogous applications running on other users' devices 102 and throughbroadcast, typically in conjunction with the media program related tothe viewer-authored content. Communications between the device 102 andthe VACAM 100 is provided by communication network 104, which maycomprise the Internet, a 3G, 4G or LTE mobile network, or any othercommunication means of suitable throughput and latency.

The VACAMS 100 also comprises a server 106 such as a cloud web server,which accepts information from the device 102 via the communicationsnetwork 104, and provides that information to other elements of theVACAMS 100, including the content management system (CMS) 114 and clouddatabase 118. The CMS 114 manages the data received from viewers, whichinclude VAC such as videos, PNGs, GIFs, JPEGs, as well as text.

The CMS 114 is used to determine which of the VDC generated from the VDCis provided to the broadcaster 122 for rebroadcast or transmitted toother viewer devices for display to other viewers via the server 106.Such determinations are recorded in database 118.

The CMS 114 can automatically perform many of the management functions,allowing submitted VAC to be rapidly accepted, analyzed, filtered,vetted, and rebroadcast. Typically however, the ultimate vetting orselection of VDC for use in conjunction with a concurrent on-airbroadcast is performed by manual review of VAC or VDC generated from theVAC, for example, by manual (e.g. human-in-the-loop) review processes116 using the CMS 114. Such operations can comprise, for example, astaff with expertise in digital on-air production, selecting content andmaking it available to produce on-air advertisements or enhancements tothe on-air program and/or related social network.

The rapidity with which the VDC can be generated from the VAC, processedand rebroadcast is an important capability of the VACAMS 100, as thisrapidity provides a paradigm shift in the use of such VAC by providing“in the moment” promotion about the shows or media programs associatedwith the VAC, and promotions that are well branded for the targeteddemographic of viewers that watch the show. The VACAMS 100 alsoautomatically accepts information regarding VDC from other viewers thatcan be used in rapidly determining whether the VDC is suitable forbroadcast by the broadcaster 122 or sharing via social networks 120 andthe like.

FIGS. 2A-2B are diagrams illustrating exemplary process steps that canbe used in connection with the VACAMS 100. Blocks 202-206 describe theviewer registration process. In block 202, the device 102 transmitsviewer registration information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the registration process. Welcomescreen 302 is shown when the viewer executes the related applicationprogram using the device 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the device102 is a mobile device such as a smartphone, but can be any processingdevice capable of accepting and providing the information describedherein.

The welcome screen 302 includes three viewer-selectable controls,including a first control 304 for a registered viewer to sign in to theVACAMS 100 system, a second control 306 for an unregistered viewer toregister with the VACAMS 100 system, and a third control 308 to allowthe viewer to preview trending VDC submitted by other viewers andaccepted and provided for broadcast or other transmission by the VACAMS100.

From welcome screen 302, the user may select the register control 306,and a registration screen 304 is presented. At this point, the user usesthe keyboard interface shown in screen 406 to enter user information,and transmits that information to the VACAMS 100 for storage in thedatabase 118. Registration screen 402 includes input fields for theviewer to enter their name, email address, desired user name, password,and password confirmation, using, for example, the alphanumericinterface shown in screen 304. Screen 304 further includes a “terms ofuse” and “privacy policy” control that retrieves from the VACAMS 100 theterms of the viewer's use of the VACAMS 100 system and the privacypolicy. This information may be pre-stored in the device or included inthe application, or may be retrieved from the VACAMS 100 via thecommunication network 104. This permits the viewer to obtain the latestupdates regarding terms of use and privacy policy, for example, toaccount for expanded or different terms of use that change with time orfor viewers who have submitted VAC.

Returning to FIG. 2A, block 203 transmits at least a subset of theviewer registration information to social networks such as FACEBOOK andTWITTER using APIs provided by those social networks and executing onthe device 102, or using a native API implemented by the media sharingapplication executing on the device 102. In one embodiment, only asubset of such data is provided, so as to be consistent with the user'sprivacy preferences privacy-related legal requirements. Alternatively,the viewer registration information can be provided to the VACAMS 100and forwarded to the social network.

Block 206 receives the viewer information in the web server 106, andstores it in the database 118, as illustrated in block 207.

Once the viewer has registered for the first time or a pre-registeredviewer has signed, in, they may be presented with a main menu screen 504or a feed screen 502, as further discussed in connection with FIG. 5below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of a device 102 interface used forregistered users to sign in to the service or for unregistered users topreview the service. Selection of control 404 causes a processorexecuting application instructions stored in a memory of the device 102to display sign in screen 412. Sign in screen 412 allows the user tosign in with social networking accounts such as a GOOGLE+-FACEBOOK orTWITTER, or to sign into the VACAMS 100 service by providing an emailand password provided by the same viewer when registering with theVACAMS 100 service. At this point, the user may enter an email addressusing the interface provided by the device 102 as well as a password,and this information is transmitted to the VACAMS 100 via thecommunications network 104. The information is provided from the server106 to the CMS 114, and if the email address and password combinationcompare favorably with registration information stored in database 118,the user may transmit information presenting the main menu or feedinterface described herein with respect to FIG. 5.

If the user selects control 308, a message is transmitted to the VACAMS100 indicating that an unregistered user has requested to view a general“trending” screen 310 showing VDC generated from VAC submitted by otherviewers that the CMS 114 of the VACAMS 100 has selected for presentationin the trending feed. The VACAMS 100 responds by sending a “trendingfeed” to the device 102. The device 102 receives the trending feed andreproduces the media of the trending feed on the display of the device102. In the illustrated embodiment, the trending feed can show mediathat is featured (selected by the VACAMS 100, recently made available,or popular (e.g. viewer feedback via the one or more social networks 120via controls 314A, 314B, and 314C respectively). A registered viewerthat has not yet signed in may also elect to do so from screen 410 aswell, using control 416.

The trending feed typically includes VDC (derived from the VAC of otherusers), but may include other content as well. In one embodiment, this“trending” feed for an as yet unregistered user differs from the“trending” feed provided to a registered user, in that the “trending”feed can be customized according to registered user requirements (forexample, by customizing the feed to show content derived from contentauthored by other viewers “followed” by the viewer) or by affinity(other viewers receiving positive feedback . . . for example, “likes”from the registered viewer or other registered viewers for the contentthey submitted), while the “trending” feed for unregistered users cannotdo so because the demographic of the user is unavailable. The “trending”feed for registered users may also be customized to change the way inwhich the data is presented. Further, the presentation of trendingviewer provided content can be limited to featured viewer providedcontent (selected by the CMS 114) using control 314A, recent viewerprovided content using control 314B, or popular content (liked by thegreatest number in the social network) by selection of control 314C.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a feed screen 502, a main menu screen504, and a search screen 506. The feed screen 502 may include a numberof images from VAC from other viewers or VDC derived therefrom, and textdescribing the username of each other viewer providing the associatedVAC/VDC, as well as comments from still other viewers. Also offered is acontrol 510 indicating the number of comments about the VDC presented infeed window 512, and a favorites control 514. Also included is a mainmenu control 508 that, when selected, presents the main menu screen 504.The main menu screen 504 includes a feed control 516 returning the userto the feed screen 502, trending control 518 which navigates the user tothe trending screen 410, channel finder control 520 which is used infinding broadcast channels related to the media program (as shown inscreen 1804 shown in FIG. 18), schedule control 522 (what is this usedfor?), profile control 524 for presenting the user's profile as shownherein on screen 1302, settings control 526 (for changing the settingsof the application, for example, using settings screen 2002), and anotifications control 528 (for controlling the circumstances in whichthe user is notified of events using the application executing on themobile device 102, for example, by use of screen 2202.

Selection of the search control 507 allows the user to enter a keywordsearch to search for VAC/VDC from other viewers using the metadata suchusers provided with their VAC, or to search for other users, with theresults presented in presents the search result screen 506. The viewermay enter alphanumeric data in the device 102 using a suitableinterface, and this data is transmitted to the VACAMS 100. The VACAMS100 searches the database 118 for information complying with thealphanumeric data and transmits the information to the device 102 fordisplay. In one embodiment, a predictive search is utilized wherein thesearch results are updated with each character entered, according toprevious searches by the viewer. Using this interface and method, theviewer can search for hash tags associated with content, other viewers,or other suitable subject, or a keyword search for any feednotifications.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing further details of the feed screen 502. Asillustrated, if the VDC presented in the feed screen does not have anycomments, the area 552 associated with the VDC and username iscollapsed. The comment control 510 indicates how many comments have beenmade by other viewers to the VDC. Tapping one portion of the control(e.g. the small arrow 560 in the lower right corner of the control)transmits a message to the VACAMS 100 to retrieve the commentsassociated with the currently presented VDC. The VACAMS 100 respondswith the information, which is thereafter processed by the device 102and presented as described further below. If the user would like to adda comment to the currently presented VDC, another portion 558 of thecomment control (e.g. the portion associated with the “+”) is tapped,and the user can thereafter enter a comment into the device 102 andsubmit it to the VACAMS 100 for consideration (Question . . . is thecomment transmitted to other users without review?). The viewer may addthe VDC shown in window 562 or the viewer who provided the VAC used togenerate the currently presented VDC to a list of favorites, byselecting the star portion 554 of the favorites (or likes) control 514.The number of other users for which the concurrently presented VDC shownin window 562 is a “favorite” is shown on the favorites control (in theillustrated example, 20 other viewers have done so), and selecting(tapping) the down-rightward arrow 560 of this portion of the controltransmits a message from the device 102 to the VACAMS 100 to show thoseother viewers “favoriting” the VDC, as illustrated further in screen 702of FIG. 7 and discussed further below. Also, selecting the windowportion of the touch screen presenting the VDC itself 562, may presentthe VDC in a larger screen, as shown in screen 564.

FIG. 7 illustrates an expanded version of feed screen 702 that isdisplayed when the user taps the down-rightward arrow 560 on thefavorites control 514. This displays the viewers that have “favorited”the associated VDC. As illustrated, the screen 702 presents an image(e.g. image 708) corresponding to each viewer that has favorite theassociated content.

FIG. 7 also shows an expanded version of a feed screen 704 that adds acomments screen portion 710 that may be shown when the viewer selectsthe comments control 712 to add a comment. As illustrated, the screen704 shows the previous comments made to the VDC, and the viewer can addnew comments by selecting the appropriate alphanumeric characters.

FIG. 7 also illustrates the use of a social network control 714 (shownas ellipses). Selection of this control 714 opens a control box thatallows the viewer to share their comment on a social network such asFACEBOOK or TWITTER, or to report the VDC as being inappropriate. Screen706 illustrates that selection of control 716 (which is associated withthe VDM presented in window 512) opens control box 718, which allows theuser to take the above identified actions. Selection of control 714allows the user to share or report comments presented in screen portion710.

If the VAC or VDC is to be shared on a social network, the informationindicating as such is transmitted to the VACAMS 100, which transmits theappropriate information to the selected social network 120 as shown inFIG. 1. If the VDC generated from the VAC is to be reported asinappropriate, information indicating as such is transmitted to theVACAMS 100, where it is accepted and entered by the CMS 114, and thenentered into the database 118, as described further below.

As shown in FIG. 8, the trending screen 410 may be initially presentedas a number of images with no detail regarding the username of the userproviding the VAC used to generate the VDC, favorites, or comments. Thisallows the screen real estate to be used more efficiently, and for theuser to rapidly swipe the touch screen of the device 102 to view a largenumber of images in succession. Selecting on one of the images relatedto the VAC (e.g. by tapping area 802 transmits information to the VACAMS100 requesting the trending detail, which is transmitted to the device102 and rendered as shown in screen 804. The feed images may be staticimages, GIFs or videos. In one embodiment, the feed images present videofiles that are proxies for GIF files that are stored in the VACAMS 100and broadcast in conjunction with the media program. For example,although a GIF is a series of still images, what is transmitted to themedia devices 102 are MPEGs that mimic the multiple-images sequentiallypresented in a typical GIF. MPEGs are typically more lightweight thatGIFs (as they use inter-prediction among frames); and this featurereduces the bandwidth required to transmit the proxy VDC to the mediadevices and the memory required to store the associated files. The proxyVDC may be transmitted as AAC, MPEG, HVAC, or any standard video format.

FIG. 9 is one embodiment of device 102 interface used to generate theviewer-authored content for submission to the VACAMS 100 for possibledissemination to other viewers and possible broadcast in conjunctionwith the media program. The user may navigate to this screen byselecting content generation control 503 as shown in FIG. 5.

Two image capture modes are included for use in generating VDC: a singlestill image mode using screen 902 and a GIF mode using screen 904. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the still image capture screen 902 isinitially presented. The still image capture screen 902 includes acontrol 906 that selects still image capture when in a first position908A and multiple image capture for the GIF mode when the control 906 ismoved to select second position 908B, thus providing screen 904.

Turning first to the single still image capture mode supported by screen902, the user simply activates a control (hardware 910 or tap-control912 on the touch sensitive screen) to capture an image, and taps theimage itself (e.g. location 914 to review the captured image by viewingscreen 906.

The multiple image capture screen 904 is used to obtain images that canbe used generate a GIF. Once this screen 904 is active, the useractivates a control (e.g. hardware control 910 or tap control 912), anda number of images are captured. In one embodiment, the capture ofmultiple images is accomplished using a screen similar to the singlestill image capture screen 902, with multiple image capture beingindicated by holding down the control until the desired number of stillimages is obtained.

An area 916 of the screen 904 may be presented showing how many imagesof the series of images have been captured. As illustrated in FIG. 9,three of ten images have been captured.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a capturescreen 1002. The capture screen 1002 illustrates a plurality of imagestaken using the interface shown in FIG. 9, and can be obtained byselecting control (which control of FIG. 9 presents FIG. 10?). Theimages 1004 presented in the capture screen 1002 can be selected forinclusion into or exclusion from the data that is transmitted to the CMSto generate the GIF. Selection can be made by tapping or touching thedesired image(s), as shown in selected image 1006. The GIF is thenprepared from the selected images as further described below.

FIG. 11 is a diagram presenting a sharing screen 1102 that is presentedonce the VAC (series of images) has been created. In one embodiment,this screen 1102 is presented in response to selection of control 1108on screen 1002 presented in FIG. 10.

The sharing application executing on the device 102 may use pre-storeddefaults or a control regarding whether the user would like to share theVAC or the VDC in social networks such FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, orTUMBLER, and indicating whether the user would like to submit the VAC tothe VACAMS 100 for consideration for broadcast distribution. This allowsthe user to share the VAC or VDC simultaneously with social networks andthe VACAMS 100 with a single command submitted via a single device. Inthe illustrated embodiment, separate controls 1108A-1108D are providedfor each social network, and a separate control 1110 is provided toselect whether the VAC or VDC generated from the VAC is submitted foron-air broadcast. Each of these controls may be individually specifiedto default to a particular value (off—do not share or on—share) and madeavailable to change this value. The application executed on the mobiledevice 102 may be configured so that screen 1102 is always presentedbefore sharing the VAC or VDC, or may be configured so that it may beskipped if the user indicates a desire to do so.

The sharing screen 1102 also includes a control 1112, which defaults toa “no” condition, asking whether the user has read and agreed to theterms and conditions of the submittal. The user may also desire to addmetadata to the submitted VAC. Such metadata may include locationinformation, which can be associated with the VAC for transmission tothe VACAMS 100 by selecting the control adjacent the “location” text,which provides screen 1104 for selecting or inputting a location.Selecting the check control 1114 on the share screen 1102 causes thedevice 102 to present screen 1106, which shows a representation of theVAC, the username and location (if provided), and the upload status viaa progress bar. The VAC is transmitted to the VACAMS 100. Success orfailure of the upload may also be indicated in the same region as theprogress bar.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a “terms and conditions” screen 1204that is obtained by tapping a “terms and conditions” control 1202. The“terms and conditions” screen 1204 provides the terms and conditions ofsubmitting the VAC to the VACAMs 100, including a reminder thatsubmitted VAC or VDC generated therefrom may not be selected forbroadcast. Preferably, the text of the terms and conditions is notstored locally on the device 102 or API 108, but rather, alwaysretrieved from the VACAMS 100 on demand, thus guaranteeing that thelatest terms and conditions are always displayed. Further, if the termsand conditions are changed from previous editions of the terms andconditions, the control 1202 may be highlighted, or the terms andconditions 1204 can be configured such that screen 1204 with the newterms and conditions must be presented before VAC can be submitted tothe VACAMS 100.

Generating Viewer Derived Content (VDC) from the Viewer Authored Content(VAC)

The transmission of the viewer derived content (VDC) and associated isalso depicted in block 208 of FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2A, the webserver 106 receives the VAC and metadata and stores it for further use,as shown in block 210. The VAC is then provided to the media server 110,which processes the VAC to generate viewer-derived content (VDC), asshown in block 216.

The VAC and VDC may take different forms, and the generation of VDC fromthe VAC can be implemented in several different embodiments. In thisdisclosure, VAC refers to content that is authored by the user andtransmitted to the VACAMS 100 and optionally, user-selected socialnetworks, while VDC refers to the viewer derived content that isgenerated from the VAC by the VACAMS 100, including the VAC that isbroadcast, or transmitted back to the device 102 for viewing, oroptionally, to social networks. Table 1 below provides a summary ofdifferent embodiments of VAC and VDC formats and where they aregenerated.

TABLE 1 VAC VDC Destination Image Reformatted/Enhanced ImageBroadcast/Website Reformatted/Enhanced Image Return to User Device ImageJPEG Website sequence GIF Website MPEG - High Resolution/Frame RateBroadcast/Website MPEG - Reduced Res/Frame Rate Return to User DeviceGIF Reformatted/Enhanced GIF Website/Return to User Device MPEG - HighResolution/Frame Rate Broadcast/Website MPEG - Reduced Res/Frame RateReturn to User Device MPEG GIF Website Reformatted/Enhanced MPEG - HighBroadcast/Website Resolution/Frame Rate Reformatted/Enhanced MPEG -Broadcast/Website Reduced Res/Frame Rate

As illustrated in table 1, the VAC transmitted from the device 102 tothe VACAMS 100 may be a single simple image. The image may beuncompressed (in RAW or *.bmp format) or may be compressed in a *.jpg(Joint Picture Expert Group) compliant other format (e.g. *.png, *.gif,*.tif, or *.img). The VACAMS 100 may then generate a image that isreformatted to another compression standard (or decompressed image), andmay also enhance the image to make it more suitable for broadcast. Forexample, the VAC may be of a pixel dimension(s) that is inconsistentwith broadcast standards and may need to be cropped or resized toconvert the image to an appropriate size. The VAC image may also needenhancements to adjust contrast, equalization, hue, or saturation tomake the image consistent with the contrast, equalization, hue, orsaturation of other images (including video images) presented by thebroadcaster at substantially the same time interval.

Different VDC may be generated from the VAC. For example, Table 1 showsthat the VDC may include two reformatted/enhanced images, one forbroadcast purposes, and the other for returning to the device 102 sothat it may be displayed to the user that submitted the VAC used togenerate the VDC. This is useful in reducing transmission bandwidth andcapacity requirements, because the VDC transmitted back to the userdevice may be more strongly compressed or may be a lower resolutionimage than the image used in the broadcast or website or even the VACoriginally submitted.

In one embodiment, the application executing on the mobile deviceautomatically configures the VAC image to be consistent with broadcastrequirements. For example, if the broadcasted image requires a minimum720 pixel resolution, the application executing in the device 102 can beconfigured to either take the image itself with a 720 pixel resolution,command an independent photo application executing on the device 102 touse a minimum 720 pixel resolution, or can convert an image taken with adifferent (e.g. lower) resolution to one that is 720 pixels.

In another embodiment, the VAC transmitted by the device 102 comprises aseries or sequence of still images. While it is possible for theapplication executing on the device 102 to create a GIF for transmissionto the VACAMS 100, GIFs typically have a limited color palette of 256colors that make GIFs less than ideal for reproducing color photographsfor a website or for making movies. GIFs, however, are better suited forsimpler images such as graphics or logos with large swaths of solidcolor. This embodiment has the advantage of providing the highestquality images to the VACAMS 100 for use in generating the VAC, so thatimages of the high resolution and quality are available for broadcast.

As shown in Table I, the sequence of still images is transmitted to theVACAMS 100 which then generates one or more GIFs or MPEGs based on thesequence of still images. The series of images can be compressed (forexample, by creation of a *.jpg or a *.tif file for each image and a*.zip file comprising the plurality of *.jpg or *.tif files) beforetransmission to the VACAMS 100, where the *.zip file can bedecompressed, and the image files recovered. The image files can be usedto create additional or alternative image files such as JPEGs. Suchfiled may be resized, cropped, or otherwise adjusted for use in awebsite or broadcast, as described above.

Also as shown in Table I, the recovered still images can be used togenerate one or more MPEGs. For example, one MPEG can be a highresolution/frame rate MPEG that is used for broadcasting to other usersor for an associated website, and another MPEG can be a lowerresolution/frame rate version that is transmitted back to the device 102that provided the VAC, to allow the user to view the generated VDC.

In one embodiment, one or both of the MPEGs (used forbroadcasting/website and for later transmission to the user device thatprovided the VAC to create the VDC) are created directly from thesequence of still images. In another embodiment, the GIF is created, andone or more MPEGs are created from the GIF. For example, a higherresolution MPEG can be generated from the GIF for broadcast or websiteuse, while a lower resolution MPEG can be generated from the GIF andtransmitted back to the device 102 that provided the VAC, thus allowingthe user to view the VDC derived from the VAC they authored, forexample, on the same user device used to author the VAC. This embodimenthas the advantage that MPEGs offer greater compression than do GIFs andthus require less bandwidth to transmit back to the device 102.Additionally, lower resolution MPEG files are smaller in size, thusrequiring less storage on both the VACAMS 100 and the user device 100and are readily reproducible using software resident on a wide varietyof user devices 102.

In another embodiment, the VAC comprises a GIF that is generated by thedevice 102 using the series of still images. The GIF is then transmittedto the VACAMS 100 and used to generate a reformatted/enhanced GIF. TheGIF may be resized to be smaller or larger, cropped, split or otherwiseoptimized. This may involve a color reduction (less than 256 colors)lossy compression, or can remove frames (e.g. every nth frame). Theresulting GIF may be used on a website or (particularly smaller GIFs),returned to the device 102. Further, a high resolution and/or frame rateMPEG can be produced for broadcast/website purposes and a reducedresolution and/or frame rate MPEG can be generated for to return to theuser device 120.

Finally, in another embodiment, the VAC comprises an MPEG that isgenerated by the user device either using a series of still images or byuse of a movie generating application resident in viewer-authored mediasharing application. The generated MPEG file is transmitted from thedevice 102 to the VACAMS 100, where it is received and processed, asshown in block 216. Still images can be extracted from the MPEG file andused to generate reformatted/enhanced still images or a GIF based on thestill images. Further, a reformatted/enhanced MPEG may be generated fromthe VAC.

Returning to FIG. 2A, the VAC received from the user device, the VDCgenerated from the VAC, and metadata associated with the submitted VACor the processed VDC is stored in the database 118, as shown in blocks218. Viewer authored metadata may include viewer permission to broadcastthe VAC or modifications of the VAC such as the VDC, informationsufficient to confirm viewer competency to enter agreements to broadcastthe VAC or VDC, viewer contact information and viewer geographicallocation. Such information may be provided with registration informationor provided with the VAC, and can be automatically verified bycomparison with verifying information from sources independent from theinformation provided by the user. For example geographical informationmay be confirmed from the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the user.

The metadata may include any of the data entered by the user (e.g.permissions, the name of the submitting user, social network identifiersof the user, hashtags or keywords, and a title of the VAC), and may alsoinclude metadata generated by the VACAMS 100 based upon the VAC or theVDC. For example, such metadata may include additional keywordsgenerated from analysis of the VAC (for example, by image recognition)or metadata describing the generated VDC (resolution, pixel size, framerate, for example).

Block 220 illustrates the generation of a VDC proxy from the generatedVAC. For example, in the above-described case where a sequence of imagesare transmitted from the device 102 to the VACAMS 100 and used togenerate the VDC in the form of a GIF, an MPEG file may be generatedfrom the GIF as a proxy for the VAC. The VDC in the form of a GIF maypresent a sequence of 10 still images, but while the VDC proxy in theform of an MPEG may comprise 50 frames or more (some of which areI-frames, some P or B frames), the MPEG may be more highly compressedthan the GIF and thus require less transmission bandwidth to transmitthe VDC to the device 102 that submitted the VAC or viewer devices 102associated with other users. In block 222, the VDC proxy is stored inthe database. Finally, the VDC proxy is transmitted to the viewerdevice, as shown in blocks 224 and 226. In accordance with the metadataassociated with the VAC and/or VDC (or a URL to an entity hosting theVAC or VDC may be sent to social networks as directed by the user, asshown in block 228. Although this task is illustrated as being performedby the CMS 114, in alternate embodiments, the VAC, VDC proxy, and/or aURL to the VAC/VDC proxy may be transmitted from the VACAMS 100 to theviewer device API 108, and the API 108 forwards this information to thedesignated social networks.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing screens that are presented by the device102 in response to the selection of the profile control 524 shown inscreen 404. Profile screen 1302 presents the user name 1302 for theviewer, a profile photo 1304 as submitted by the viewer, the number ofusers 1306 that are following the viewer identified with the username,and the number of persons the viewer is following 1308. Selection ofthese items opens screens showing the persons following the viewer andthe other viewers that the viewer is following, respectively. Selectionof the illustrated edit control 1310 presents the edit profile screen1320, which allows the user to edit their profile, and privacypreferences. Another control permits the user to change or reset apassword, as shown using screen 1402 presented in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a first 1402 and second 1404 screen used toedit the viewer profile shown in FIG. 13. Selection of control 1322 ofscreen 1320 allows the user to edit or reset their password, andpresents screen 1402 for this purpose. Selection of the “following” link1308 in screen 1302 presents screen 1404, which indicates the usernamesfor other viewers that the user is “following.”

FIG. 15 is a diagram presenting a series of screens that can be providedso as to allow the user to utilize the device 102 to edit their profileto choose a profile photo. Selection of the photo or placeholder 1550raises an interface screen 1504 providing a control having a firstelement 1506 allowing the user to choose from one of a plurality ofexisting photos and a second element 1508 allowing the user to take anew photo. If the user selects an existing photo control element 1506,such photos are presented for selection and scaling as shown in screen1510. The user selects the desired photo by tapping it as indicated by1512, which presents screen 1514, which reproduces the photo in largersize (full screen), and allows the user to scale and crop the photousing gestures by pinching and unpinching the photo and tapping andmoving the photo, respectively. Once edited, the photo is confirmed byselection of control 1528, and the screen returns to the edit profilescreen 1502. If the user elects to take a photo (selected by control1508, photo is captured a shown in screens 1518 and 1522 of FIG. 15. Animage sensed by the camera of the device 102 is sensed and is presentedin area 1520, and selection of control 1524 records the image. Followingrecordation; the image is presented in area 1520, and selected for use(e.g. confirmed by selecting control 1526) and the screen returns to theedit profile screen 1502.

FIG. 16 presents a series of screens by which the user may change whichother viewers they follow using the application executing on the device102. Screen 1602 is presented following user selection of control 1306to determine who the viewer is following. Selection of one of theusernames 1608 toggles whether the viewer associated with the user nameis permitted to follow the user of the device 102. Further, each of theindicated usernames 1608 can be selected for further information, asshown in screen 1606. Selection of control 1610 toggles a“follow/unfollow” condition with respect to the viewer having theindicated username

The user's profile-related posts or profile photos may be submitted foron-air consideration, submitted for sharing via a social network, ordeleted, by selecting the ellipses control 1612 shown in profile postsaction screen 1604 and selecting the appropriate option on the profileposts action screen 1604. Thus, when VAC is submitted to the VACAMS 100and selected for broadcast, the profile picture of the viewer submittingthe VAC can also be provided for broadcast. Thus, the viewer's profilephoto is also a category of VAC.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the exemplary profile posts action screen1604 and the “share/submit” 1604. Selection of the “submit for on-air”control 1704 presents the submit screen 1702. The user submits theprofile pix or profile post for on-air consideration by toggling control1706 and selecting control 1708.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the main menu screen 504 with the “channelfinder” control selected 1802. This feature is a web-component that isavailable for use by the application on the device 102. This featureallows the user to find the network broadcast channel or Internetuniform resource locator (URL) transmitting the media program ofinterest (and typically related to the viewer-authored content) for oneor more broadcasters 122. The user may enter a zip code into anappropriate portion 1806 of the screen 1804, or the zip code may alreadybe known to the VACAMS 100 via previous user input. Other means todetermine the location of the user can be used as well. The device 102transmits the appropriate information to the VACAMS 100, and the VACAMS100 responds by searching for the appropriate broadcast channel numberor URL and transmitting that channel number to the device 102. In oneembodiment, the user may then view the broadcast by selecting theinterface shown in screen 1804 if being currently transmitted. Is thisused by anything else in any way? Is this a channel finder only for theviewer provided content? Is it relevant that the application providesviewer authored content directed at a particular program, and not ageneral set of programs? It would seem relevant here.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the “schedule” optionin the main menu screen. Selecting this control 1904 sends a message tothe VACAMS 100 to retrieve schedule information from a webserver orwebsite describing broadcast schedules of the media program of interest.This information may be obtained from broadcasters 122 or third partyproviders. Is there any notion of sending the user a message confirmingthat their video is actually used?

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the “settings”control 2006 from the main menu screen 504, and the further selection ofa “frequently asked question” control 2008 to obtain answers tofrequently asked questions, as presented on screen 2004.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the settings screen 2002. The settingsscreen 2002 further includes a privacy policy control 2102, which, whenselected presents a private policy screen 2104 and a terms of usecontrol 2106, which, when selected presents a terms of use screen 2108.As described above, this information is typically retrieved fromwebserver 106 for presentation, to assure that the latest updates inprivacy policy and terms of use are provided.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating how another viewer requests to followthe user. Screen 2202 depicts another device 102 associated with anotheruser viewing the subject user's profile. The other user can elect tofollow the subject user by selecting the “follow” control 2208 asillustrated. Screen 2204 illustrates the response presented on thesubject user's feed page, including a message that another user isrequesting to follow the subject user. To respond, the subject userselects the main menu control illustrated on screen 2206, thuspresenting the main menu screen 504. The user may select thenotifications control 2212, and is then presented with a screen 2214presenting controls to either allow or disallow the another user fromfollowing the subject user.

FIG. 23 illustrates an analogous welcome screen for presentation withina computer's display using, for example, using a web browser. This maybe presented on a web browser retrieving information from a website at aURL, for example. Links may be provided to download the application,whether from the website 2302 or from a third party vendor 2304. FIG. 24illustrates an analogous feed screen 2402 for presentation within acomputer's display using a web browser.

Retrieval and Management of VAC and VDC

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of how the VACAMS 100may retrieve and manage the generation, presentation and use of the VACand VDC. It is anticipating that VAC may be submitted at any time to beconsidered for on-air broadcast, but that such submissions may peak inthe times immediately before, during, and immediately after thebroadcast of the media program relating to the VAC for on-airsubmission. Hence, the VACAMS 100 includes a provision for rapidlyaccepting an reviewing VDC submitted for on-air consideration. In block250, VDC that was generated from VAC submitted for on-air considerationis queued. This queuing may be performed based on a first-in first-outor FIFO paradigm, or a modified FIFO paradigm. In one embodiment, themetadata provided with or generated from the VAC/VDC is searched toidentify VAC/VDC that may be higher priority than other VAC/VAC, eitherbecause of the subject matter (as indicated by hashtags or keywords),the time sensitivity, or popularity. For example, as described above,other users who have installed the application on their device 102 (andare hence members of the on-air submission network) are able to view andcomment on or “like” the viewer's submissions, even those that have notbeen broadcast “on-air.” The number of likes or the rate at which suchsubmissions are liked by other users in the on-air submission networkcan also be used to prioritize the queue of VAC/VDC that is submittedfor on-air consideration. Such VAC/VDC may be thought to be “trending,”“featured,” or “popular” as described earlier with respect to screen410.

In block 252, the queue is retrieved and transmitted to an API 108 forthe VACAMS 100, so that the queue can be presented on a display forreview. Exemplary embodiments of the display provided by the API 108 areprovided below. Using the API 108, a user of the VACAMS 100 may reviewand manage the VDC queue, including flagging VDC for on-air broadcast,use in a website, or flagging the VDC or comments for abuse, copyrightviolation or other inappropriateness. In block 256, a request for VDCsof interest that were submitted for on-air broadcast is made to the CMS114, and in blocks 258 and 260, the CMS 114 and database 118 retrievethe VAC/VDC and associated metadata. In an alternative embodiment, theVAC/VDC be stored on the media server 110 or on a third party serverwhile the metadata is stored in the database 118. The retrieved VAC/VDCand metadata is retrieved and provided to the API 108 for display to theuser, as shown in block 262. In block 264, the user requests and/ordesignates VAC/VDC for broadcast. As further described below, a VAC/VACmay also be selected to appear in a “featured” feed by flagging the VDC(or posts) as “featured.” In block 266, the requested VDC along withmetadata (and optionally, the VDC associated with the VAC) is providedto the broadcaster for broadcast in conjunction with the media program.

FIG. 25 is a visual representation of the CMS 114 management data storedin the database 118. The entry of this data can be automaticallyperformed by the CMS 114 when received from device 102 applications, andmay be changed or managed by a user through a CMS API 108 interface asfollows:

Application User Attribute Controls

Feature/Unfeature:

Selection of a “Feature” or “Unfeature” button in the “ApplicationUsers” view of the interface commands the CMS API 108 to update thedatabase 1-18 so that the particular user is marked as “featured” (a“featured” field in the database is set to “1” for featured or “0” forunfeatured.) Posts made by “featured” users are automatically marked as“featured” by the API (setting the post's “featured” key to 1). Featuredposts will be selected by the API to be shown in the application's“Featured News Feed,” a collection of posts that have been marked asfeatured. Upon a “feature” or “unfeature” event (clicking feature orunfeature button) in the CMS 114, previous posts in the database made bythe user, are not retroactively updated to featured=1 or 0 by the API.

Activate/Inactivate:

Clicking “Inactivate” or “Activate” button in the “Application Users”view of the interface commands the API to update the database by settingthe user's “active” field to “1”, in the case of “activate” or “0” inthe case of inactivate. Users with an “active” field set to “0” in thedatabase are disallowed from making further posts or comments, and theirprofile is precluded from being selected by the API when retrievinglists of users profiles, or displaying individual profiles.

Post Attribute Controls

Feature/Unfeature:

Clicking the “Feature” or “Unfeature” button in the “Post” view commandsthe API to update the database 114 so that the subject post is marked as“featured” (a “featured” field in the database is set to “1” forfeatured or “0” for unfeatured). Posts with a “featured” field set to“1” are selected by the API to be displayed in the “Featured News Feed”of the device 102 applications. A “feature” or “unfeature” event(clicking feature or unfeature button) in the CMS's post view has noeffect on other posts made by the same user.

Ban/Remove Ban:

Clicking the “Ban” or “Remove Ban” button the CMS's “Post” view commandsthe API to update the database by setting the posts “ban” field to “1”or “0”, respectively. Posts with a ban field set to “1” in the databaseare filtered out of all data collected by the API for display in thedevice 102 application's “User News Feed,” “Popular News Fee,” and“Recent News Feed”

Download:

Download's the original content uploaded by the app which is stored onthe server 106 or a media server.

Comment Controls

Ban/Remove Ban:

Clicking the “Ban” or “Remove Ban” in the CMS's “Comment” view interfacetells the API to update the database by setting the comment's “ban”field to “1” or “0”, respectively. Comments with a ban field set to “1”in the database are filtered out of all data collected by the API fordisplay in the device 102 application's “Post Details” comments section.

On Air Submissions

The CMS 114 asks the API to retrieve all posts in the database with an“on-air” field set to 1. Users have the choice of marking posts they arewilling to have shown in conjunction with the broadcast. When a useruploads a photo or other viewer-authored content they have marked astelevision eligible, the API sets the post's “on Air” field to “1” whenit save the photo's meta data to the database 114.

Abusive Posts/Comments

The CMS 114 asks the API to retrieve all posts/comments in the database114 with an “abuse-reports-count” field having a value of 1 or greater.When device 102 application users flag a post/comment as “abusive” theCMS 114 receives this information, and the API increments the“abuse-reports-count” field by 1. Posts/comments with an“abuse-reports—count” greater than, or equal to N (5, for example) arefiltered out of all posts/comments retrieved from the database by theAPI for consideration for broadcast.

FAQs/Privacy/Terms

This control submits data for updating/creating FAQ, privacy and termspages to the API for saving to the database 118. The device 102application retrieves these pages from the Web as described above.

Exemplary User Interface

FIGS. 26A-26C are diagrams of an exemplary user interface 2600implemented by the API 108. The user interface (UI) 2600 may bepresented on a display of a communicatively connected computer withinthe VACAMS 100. The UI 2600 illustrated in FIG. 26A includes a pluralityof menu items 2602A-2602F for navigating the interface. In FIG. 26A, theapplication user interface, (presented in response to the selection ofitem 2602A) is presented. The UI 2600 includes a plurality of columns2604-2610, including a first column 2604 providing usernames for theVACAMS 100 users that have registered for the viewer-authored contentsharing service. Column 2606 describes the date that the user accountfor the username was created. Column 2608 describes whether the user isa “featured user” or not, and column 2610 includes controls that allowthe user to present a UI of the selected user's profile. Column 2604also has a control 2604 that allows the user to search for the usernameby entering characters and wildcards. Usernames matching the search arepresented. Column 2606 includes a creation date search control 2606,which allows the user to limit the usernames presented to thoseassociated with accounts created between specified dates. Column 2608includes a featured control 2608 which, when selected, selects whetherall usernames are presented, those which are unfeatured, or those whichare featured users. The search parameters associated with controls2604-2608 can operate in a logical AND fashion with the presentedusernames being those satisfying all three constraints. In oneembodiment, the information shown in FIG. 26A may be edited by selectingthe appropriate column/row combination and editing the information asdesired.

FIG. 26B is a diagram illustrating the user interface 2600 presentedwhen the user selects the “posts” menu item 2602B. The user interface2600 includes a hashtag column 2611 a popularity column 2612, afavorites column 2614, a username column 2616, a featured column 2618,and a creation date column 2620.

The hashtag column 2611 presents an image of the VDC (typically aselected still image) 2622 related to the VDC and any hashtagsassociated with the VAC. The popularity column 2612 indicates a measureof the popularity 2624 of the VAC. Popularity can be determined by oneor more factors including a number of views, a number of likes,favorites, or other factors. The favorites column 2614 indicates thenumber of users 2626 who have indicated that the VDC is a favorite.Column 2616 indicates the username 2628 of the viewer that provided theVAC that was used to generate the VDC. Column 2618 includes a character2630 that indicates whether the VDC is a featured VDC that is to bepresented in the featured feed. Column 2620 indicates the date 2632 whenthe VDC was generated or alternately, when the VAC that was used togenerate the VDC was provided.

Column 2611 has a control 2634 allowing the user to perform a charactersearch to display hashtags with the combination of characters enteredinto the control. The popularity column 2612 includes a max/min control2636 that allows the user to limit the VDC presented in the interface2600 to VDC that has a popularity measure between the input limitsentered into the control. The favorites column 2614 includes a control2638 that allows the user to limit the VDC that is presented in the UI2600 to those that are between a maximum and minimum value. The usernamecolumn 2616 includes a control 2640 that allows the user to limit theVDC shown in the UI 2600 to those associated with usernames that complywith characters entered into the control. The featured column 2618includes a control 2642 that allows the user to limit the VDC shown inthe UI 2600 to VDC that have are not featured or are featured. Finally,the created column 2620 includes a control 2644 that limits those VDCpresented in the UI to those created between specified dates entered viathe control. In one embodiment, the data and metadata presented in theUI 2600 can be edited by selecting the appropriate row and column, andchanging the information. A particular VDC may be selected by selectingthe thumbnail image 2622 associated with the VAC. This presents the VDCUI.

FIG. 26C is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the VDC UI 2650.The VDC UI 2600 includes an image window 2650 in which the VDC ispresented. Metadata associated with the VAC, including the username,description, hashtags, feature status, creation date, popularity,favorite status, and number of comments are illustrated in items2652-2668, which are editable by the user. If the VDC has been thesubject of a charge by another user as being abusive, this may beindicated and changed by control 267.

The VDC UI 2650 also includes a feature control 2672, a ban control2676, a download control 2674, and a watermark control 2678. The featurecontrol can be used to toggle whether the associated VDC is part of thefeatured feed. The ban control 2676 can be used to ban (remove fromdistribution to other users) the VDC or the user. Download control 2676can be used to download the VDC shown in the window 2650 so that it canbe provided for broadcast or other disposition. Finally, the watermarkcontrol 2678 can be used to watermark the VAC.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps that can be used toautomatically collect, manage, and provide viewer-authored media contentfor consideration for broadcast presentation in conjunction with a livebroadcast of a media program. In block 2702, an application is providedfor installation on the device 102, wherein the application can be usedto generate viewer authored content from a plurality of images. In oneembodiment, the device 102 is a cellphone having a camera for collectingthe subject images. Also, the application may be dedicated to aparticular media program broadcast by the broadcaster (thus making allcommunications between the device 102 and the VACAMS 100 inherentlyrelated to the associated media program) or may be usable with a numberof media programs from the same broadcaster, or a plurality ofbroadcasters.

In block 2704, the VACAMS 100 receives viewer registration informationuniquely associated with a viewer via the installed application via thedevice 102. This information can be received, for example by theapplication executing in the device 102 and accepting the informationinto screens 302 and 304 discussed above. If the viewer is alreadyregistered, the registration step is unnecessary.

In block 2706, viewer-authored content is received by the VACAMS 100.This can occur at anytime, but preferably occurs during or temporallyproximate the live broadcast of the media program that is the subject ofor related to the viewer-authored content. The viewer-authored contentis received for consideration by the provider of the media program forpresentation in conjunction with the live broadcast of the mediaprogram. As described above, the viewer providing the viewer-authoredcontent to the VACAMS 100 has typically pre-approved the use anddissemination of the viewer-authored content, for example, by checkingthe appropriate box in screen 1102 shown in FIG. 11 before sending thecontent. Typically, the content cannot be sent until they'vepre-approved it's dissemination by checking the box. The informationtransmitted to the VACAMS 100 provides a means by which the identity andcontact information of the viewer may be pre-determined (for example, bytransmitting a user ID some time during the viewer's session with theVACAMS 100 and associating the user ID with a particular user).

Block 2708 provides the viewer-authored content to a content managementsystem (CMS) 114 further described below. In block 2710, the CMS 114queues the viewer-authored content with other viewer-authored contentfrom other viewers for consideration for presentation in conjunctionwith the live broadcast of the media program related to theviewer-authored content. Block 2712 determines if the viewer authoredcontent complies with broadcast regulations. For example, it istypically required that any viewer-authored content used in on-airbroadcasts must be manually reviewed to assure that it complies withobscenity regulations, is age appropriate for the media program, and toassure that it does not disparage other viewers, or the media program,broadcaster, or other parties as well.

In block 2714, the viewer authored content is selected for broadcastpresentation in conjunction with the live broadcast of the mediaprogram. This can occur in a number of different ways. For example, theviewer-authored content can be used as a “bumper” that is aired in shortintervals between the media program and advertisements broadcast duringthe media program. The viewer authored content may be transmitted as alead in to the media program itself, or used in web-based marketingmaterials. A commercial break presenting the top five “mimes” of theevening may also be presented, with those top-five “mimes” sponsored bya particular paying sponsor. In another embodiment, viewer-authoredcontent is presented in other viewers' device 102 applications as well.For that matter, the application installed on the device 102 may besponsored by a paying sponsor.

In one embodiment, the media program referred to above is one of aplurality of episodes of a show, and the show is one of a plurality ofshows provided by the media provider, wherein each show has associatededitorial standards that are transmitted to the device 102. For example,the media program provider may be FOX, the show may be one of the showsprovided by FOX (e.g. THE SIMPSONS) that has associated editorialstandards that differ from other FOX shows (e.g. AMERICAN IDOL), and themedia program is an episode of THE SIMPSONS. The application executingon the device 102 may be used to provide VAC to the VACAMS 100 for bothAMERICAN IDOL and THE SIMPSONS, but editorial standards (e.g.suitability for younger audiences) transmitted to the device 102 for THESIMPSONS may differ from those of AMERICAN IDOL. The metadata associatedwith the VAC may include keywords or hashtags describing attributes ofthe VAC. That information can be sent to the VACAMS 100 to assist indetermining if the VAC complies with the editorial standards associatedwith the show (e.g. THE SIMPSONS), or using instructions executing inthe device 102, the device 102 can determine if the VAC complies withthe editorial standards of the show associated with the media program.This can be accomplished by comparison of the editorial standards (whichmay include keywords which indicate that the VAC does not comply) andthe keywords in the metadata. VAC not complying with the editorialstandards may be nonetheless transmitted from the device 102 to theVACAMS 100, or such transmission may be prevented.

As described above, the VAC may comprise a plurality of independentmedia files (e.g. JPEGs or TIFFs, with each file comprising anintra-compressed image. Intra-compressed images are images that do notdepend upon other images for information used in the decompressionprocess. For example, one JPEG does not typically require reference toanother JPEG to permit decompression. An example of an image that is notonly intra-compressed is an MPEG frame. MPEG frames include I frames(which are only intra-compressed) and do not require information fromother frames for decompression, and P (predictive) and B predictive)frames in which decompression and decoding of the frame requiresinformation from other frames. The plurality of independent media filesmay be compressed (e.g. by a ZIP utility) to produce an archive file ofthe JPEGs). After the ZIP file is decompressed, an animated image file(GIF) maybe created from the independent files, then a compressed videofile such an MPEG, MP3, QUICKTIME, or other file is created from theGIF, thus mimicking the animated image provided when the GIF file isexecuted. This compressed video file acts as a proxy for the GIF file.

Hardware Environment

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system 2800 thatcould be used to implement elements of the system. The computer 2802comprises a general purpose hardware processor 2804A and/or a specialpurpose hardware processor 2804B (hereinafter alternatively collectivelyreferred to as processor 2804) and a memory 2806; such as random accessmemory (RAM). The computer 2802 may be coupled to other devices,including input/output (I/O) devices such as a keyboard 2814, a mousedevice 2816 and a printer 2828.

In one embodiment, the computer 2802 operates by the general purposeprocessor 2804A performing instructions defined by the computer program2810 under control of an operating system 2808. The computer program2810 and/or the operating system 2808 may be stored in the memory 2806and may interface with the user and/or other devices to accept input andcommands and, based on such input and commands and the instructionsdefined by the computer program 2810 and operating system 2808 toprovide output and results.

Output/results may be presented on the display 2822 or provided toanother device for presentation or further processing or action. In oneembodiment, the display 2822 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD)having a plurality of separately addressable pixels formed by liquidcrystals. Each pixel of the display 2822 changes to an opaque ortranslucent state to form a part of the image on the display in responseto the data or information generated by the processor 2804 from theapplication of the instructions of the computer program 2810 and/oroperating system 2808 to the input and commands. Other display 2822types also include picture elements that change state in order to createthe image presented on the display 2822. The image may be providedthrough a graphical user interface (GUI) module 2818A. Although the GUImodule 2818A is depicted as a separate module, the instructionsperforming the GUI functions can be resident or distributed in theoperating system 2808, the computer program 2810, or implemented withspecial purpose memory and processors.

Some or all of the operations performed by the computer 2802 accordingto the computer program 2810 instructions may be implemented in aspecial purpose processor 2804B. In this embodiment, some or all of thecomputer program 2810 instructions may be implemented via firmwareinstructions stored in a read only memory (ROM), a programmable readonly memory (PROM) or flash memory within the special purpose processor2804B or in memory 2806. The special purpose processor 2804B may also behardwired through circuit design to perform some or all of theoperations to implement the present invention. Further, the specialpurpose processor 2804B may be a hybrid processor, which includesdedicated circuitry for performing a subset of functions, and othercircuits for performing more general functions such as responding tocomputer program instructions. In one embodiment, the special purposeprocessor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The computer 2802 may also implement a compiler 2812 which allows anapplication program 2810 written in a programming language such asCOBOL, C++, FORTRAN, or other language to be translated into processor2804 readable code. After completion, the application or computerprogram 2810 accesses and manipulates data accepted from I/O devices andstored in the memory 2806 of the computer 2802 using the relationshipsand logic that was generated using the compiler 2812.

The computer 2802 also optionally comprises an external communicationdevice such as a modem, satellite link, Ethernet card, or other devicefor accepting input from and providing output to other computers.

In one embodiment, instructions implementing the operating system 2808,the computer program 2810, and/or the compiler 2812 are tangiblyembodied in a computer-readable medium, e.g., data storage device 2820,which could include one or more fixed or removable data storage devices,such as a zip drive, floppy disc drive 2824, hard drive, CD-ROM drive,tape drive, or a flash drive. Further, the operating system 2808 and thecomputer program 2810 are comprised of computer program instructionswhich, when accessed, read and executed by the computer 2802, causes thecomputer 2802 to perform the steps necessary to implement and/or use thepresent invention or to load the program of instructions into a memory,thus creating a special purpose data structure causing the computer tooperate as a specially programmed computer executing the method stepsdescribed herein. Computer program 2810 and/or operating instructionsmay also be tangibly embodied in memory 2806 and/or data communicationsdevices 2830, thereby making a computer program product or article ofmanufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms “article ofmanufacture,” “program storage device” and “computer program product” or“computer readable storage device” as used herein are intended toencompass a computer program accessible from any computer readabledevice or media.

Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that any combinationof the above components, or any number of different components,peripherals, and other devices, may be used with the computer 2802.

Although the term “computer” is referred to herein, it is understoodthat the computer may include portable devices such as smartphones,portable MP3 players, video game consoles, notebook computers, pocketcomputers, or any other device with suitable processing, communication,and input/output capability.

CONCLUSION

This concludes the description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodimentof the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intendedthat the scope of the invention be limited not by this detaileddescription, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of themanufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing viewer-derived content forbroadcast presentation in conjunction with a broadcast of a mediaprogram by a provider of the media program, comprising: (a) receivingviewer registration information uniquely associated with a viewer via anapplication executing on a viewer device, the application for collectingthe viewer registration information, viewer-authored content andviewer-authored content metadata associated with the viewer-authoredcontent; (b) receiving the viewer-authored content and theviewer-authored content metadata in a content management system; (c)processing the viewer authored content according to the viewer authoredmetadata to generate the viewer-derived content; (d) queuing theviewer-derived content with other viewer-derived content generated fromviewer-authored content from other viewers for consideration for thebroadcast presentation in conjunction with the broadcast of the mediaprogram; (e) determining if the viewer-derived content complies withbroadcast regulations or quality standards; (f) selecting theviewer-derived content for broadcast presentation in conjunction withthe live broadcast of the media program if the viewer-derived contentcomplies with the broadcast regulations or the quality standards; and(g) providing the viewer-derived content for broadcast in conjunctionwith the live broadcast of the media program.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: providing the application for installation on theviewer device before performing (a)-(g), wherein the application isconfigured to generate the viewer-authored content according to thequality standards.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the media programis one of a plurality of episodes of a show, the show being one of aplurality of shows provided by the media provider, each show havingassociated editorial standards transmitted to the viewer device; theviewer authored metadata comprises keywords describing attributes of theviewer authored content; and the method further comprises: determining,in the viewer device, if the viewer authored content complies with theeditorial standards of the show associated with the media program bycomparison of the keywords with the editorial standards; performingsteps (c)-(g) only if the viewer authored content complies with theeditorial standards using the editorial standards module executing onthe viewer device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the viewerauthored content comprises a plurality of independent media files, eachmedia file comprising an intra-compressed image; the step of processingthe viewer authored content according to the viewer authored metadata togenerate the viewer derived content comprises the steps of: generatingan animated image file from the plurality of independent media files;and generating a compressed video file from the plurality of independentmedia files, the compressed video file mimicking and serving as a proxyfor the animated image file.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein: theviewer-authored content comprises a compressed archive file having theplurality of independent media files; and the method further comprisesthe step of decompressing the compressed archive file to recover theindependent media files.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprisingthe step of: transmitting the compressed video file to the viewer devicefor presentation by the application executing on the viewer device. 7.The method of claim 4, wherein: the viewer-authored metadata includespermission to broadcast the viewer-derived content associated with theviewer-authored content; and the viewer authored media is processed onlywhen the viewer authored metadata includes the permission to broadcastthe viewer-derived content.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein: theviewer-authored metadata includes permission to broadcast theviewer-derived content; and the viewer authored content is processedregardless of whether the authored metadata includes the permission tobroadcast the viewer-derived content associated with the viewer-derivedcontent, but is not broadcast without permission to broadcast theviewer-derived content.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the viewerregistration information includes information uniquely identifying theuser, comprising: information sufficient to confirm viewer competency toenter agreement for the broadcast presentation of the viewer-derivedcontent; viewer contact information; and viewer geographical location.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: automatically verifyingat least a portion of the information associated with receivedviewer-authored content by comparison with verifying information of asource independent from the user registration information.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the method further comprises transmittingthe viewer-derived content to a social network; and the step ofselecting the viewer-derived content for broadcast presentation isautomatically based at least in part on assessment data from users ofthe social network regarding the viewer authored content transmitted tothe social network.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: theviewer-authored media metadata comprises an indication to share theviewer-derived content associated with the viewer-authored content on aplurality of social networks; the method further comprises the steps of:hosting the viewer-derived content on a server accessible according to auniform resource locator unique to the viewer-derived content; providingthe uniform resource locator to each of the plurality of socialnetworks.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the viewer registrationinformation comprises viewer contact information, and method furthercomprises step of: transmitting a message to the viewer device accordingto the user contact to confirm viewer approval of broadcast of theviewer-derived content associated with the viewer-authored content. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein the viewer is one of a plurality ofviewers and the content management system manages a database of aplurality of attributes relating to each of the plurality of viewerssubmitting viewer-authored content via a respective plurality of viewerdevices, the plurality of attributes, and wherein: each of the pluralityof viewers is associated with a first set of attributes including: aviewer active attribute, indicating whether the associated viewer isdisallowed from making future posts or comments, and precludingselection of any viewer-authored content from the associated viewer forbroadcast presentation; a viewer feature attribute, indicating whether apost from the associated viewer is to be included in a featured viewerpost news feed; and wherein each of the first set of attributes isselectable to manage the broadcasting of the viewer-derived contentassociated with the viewer-authored media content; each of the pluralityof viewers is associated with a viewer post having an associated secondset of attributes, including: a viewer post active attribute, indicatingwhether the associated viewer post is disallowed from selection for thefeatured viewer post news feed transmitted to the plurality of viewerdevices; a viewer post feature attribute indicating whether theassociated viewer post is to be included in the featured news feed; aviewer post ban attribute indicating whether the associated viewer postis to be banned from inclusion into the featured news feed, a viewernews feed, a popular news feed and a recent news feed; a viewer postdownload content attribute indicating that the viewer-authored mediacontent associated with the viewer post is to be uploaded for broadcastpresentation; an abusive viewer post attribute, counting a numberreports that the viewer post associated with the attribute has beenflagged by other viewers as abusive; and a viewer post on-air attribute,selectable by the viewer authoring the post, indicating the post may beshared; wherein each of the second set of attributes is selectable bythe CMS to manage the provision of the viewer-authored media content;and each of the comments from each viewer are associated with a thirdset of attributes, including: a viewer comment on-air attribute,selectable by the viewer authoring the post, indicating that the commentmay be shared; and a viewer comment ban attribute indicating whether theassociated viewer comment is to be banned from inclusion among commentsto a viewer post.
 15. An apparatus for providing viewer-authored contentfor broadcast presentation in conjunction with a broadcast of a mediaprogram by a provider of the media program comprising: a processor; amemory, coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality ofinstructions comprising instructions for: (a) receiving viewerregistration information uniquely associated with a viewer via anapplication executing on a viewer device, the application for collectingthe viewer registration information, viewer-authored content andviewer-authored content metadata associated with the viewer-authoredcontent; (b) receiving the viewer-authored content and theviewer-authored content metadata in a content management system; (c)processing the viewer authored content according to the viewer authoredcontent metadata to generate the viewer-derived content; (d) queuing theviewer-derived content with other viewer-derived content from otherviewers for consideration for the broadcast presentation in conjunctionwith the broadcast of the media program; (e) accepting a determinationof whether the viewer-derived content complies with broadcastregulations or quality standards; (f) accepting a selection of theviewer-derived content for broadcast presentation in conjunction withthe live broadcast of the media program if the viewer-derived contentcomplies with the broadcast regulations or the quality standards; and(g) providing the viewer-derived content in conjunction with the livebroadcast of the media program for broadcast.
 16. The apparatus of claim15, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for:providing the application for installation on the viewer device beforeperforming (a)-(g), wherein the application is configured to generatethe viewer-authored content according to the quality standards.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein: the media program is one of a pluralityof episodes of a show, the show being one of a plurality of showsprovided by the media provider, each show having associated editorialstandards transmitted to the media device; the viewer authored contentmetadata comprises keywords describing attributes of the viewer authoredcontent; and the instructions further comprise instructions for:determining, in the viewer device, if the viewer authored contentcomplies with the editorial standards of the show associated with themedia program by comparison of the keywords with the editorialstandards; performing steps (c)-(g) only if the viewer authored contentcomplies with the editorial standards using the editorial standardsmodule executing on the viewer device.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein: the viewer authored media comprises a plurality of independentmedia files, each media file comprising an intra-compressed image; theinstructions for processing the viewer authored content according to theviewer authored content metadata to generate the viewer-derived contentcomprises instructions for: generating an animated image file from theplurality of independent media files; and generating a compressed videofile from the plurality of independent media files, the compressed videofile mimicking the animated image file.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein: the viewer-authored content comprises a compressed archive filehaving the plurality of independent media files; and the instructionsfurther comprise instructions for decompressing the compressed archivefile to recover the independent media files.
 20. The apparatus of claim18, wherein the instruction further comprise instructions for:transmitting the compressed video file to the viewer device forpresentation by the application executing on the viewer device.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein: the viewer-authored content metadataincludes permission to broadcast the viewer-authored content orviewer-derived content; and the viewer authored media is processed onlywhen the viewer authored metadata includes the permission to broadcastthe viewer-authored content or viewer-derived content.
 22. The apparatusof claim 18, wherein: the viewer-authored metadata includes permissionto broadcast the viewer-authored content or viewer-derived content; andthe viewer authored media is processed regardless of whether theauthored metadata includes the permission to broadcast theviewer-authored content or the viewer derived content, but is notbroadcast without permission to broadcast the viewer-authored content orthe viewer-derived content.
 23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theviewer registration information includes information uniquelyidentifying the user, comprising: information sufficient to confirmviewer competency to enter agreement for the broadcast presentation ofthe viewer-derived content; viewer contact information; and viewergeographical location.
 24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theinstructions further comprise instructions for: automatically verifyingat least a portion of the information associated with receivedviewer-authored content by comparison with verifying information of asource independent from the user registration information.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein: the instructions further compriseinstructions for transmitting the viewer-authored content orviewer-derived content to a social network; and the instructions forselecting the viewer-derived content for broadcast presentationautomatically select the viewer-derived content for broadcastpresentation based at least in part on assessment data from users of thesocial network regarding the viewer authored content transmitted to thesocial network.
 26. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: theviewer-authored content metadata comprises an indication to share theviewer-authored content or viewer-derived content on a plurality ofsocial networks; the instructions further comprises instructions for:hosting the viewer-derived content on a server accessible according to auniform resource locator unique to the viewer-derived content; providingthe uniform resource locator to each of the plurality of socialnetworks.
 27. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the viewer registrationinformation comprises viewer contact information, and instructionsfurther comprise instructions for: transmitting a message to the viewerdevice according to the user contact to confirm viewer approval ofbroadcast of viewer-derived content.
 28. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the viewer is one of a plurality of viewers and the contentmanagement system manages a database of a plurality of attributesrelating to each of the plurality of viewers submitting viewer-authoredcontent via a respective plurality of viewer devices, the plurality ofattributes, and wherein: each of the plurality of viewers is associatedwith a first set of attributes including: a viewer active attribute,indicating whether the associated viewer is disallowed from makingfuture posts or comments, and precluding selection of anyviewer-authored content from the associated viewer for broadcastpresentation; a viewer feature attribute, indicating whether a post fromthe associated viewer is to be included in a featured viewer post newsfeed; and wherein each of the first set of attributes is selectable tomanage the broadcasting of the viewer-authored media content; each ofthe plurality of viewers is associated with a viewer post having anassociated second set of attributes, including: a viewer post activeattribute, indicating whether the associated viewer post is disallowedfrom selection for the featured viewer post news feed transmitted to theplurality of viewer devices; a viewer post feature attribute indicatingwhether the associated viewer post is to be included in the featurednews feed; a viewer post ban attribute indicating whether the associatedviewer post is to be banned from inclusion into the featured news feed,a viewer news feed, a popular news feed and a recent news feed; a viewerpost download content attribute indicating that the viewer-authoredmedia content associated with the viewer post is to be uploaded forbroadcast presentation; an abusive viewer post attribute, counting anumber reports that the viewer post associated with the attribute hasbeen flagged by other viewers as abusive; and a viewer post on-airattribute, selectable by the viewer authoring the post, indicating thepost may be shared; wherein each of the second set of attributes isselectable by the CMS to manage the provision of the viewer-authoredmedia content; and each of the comments from each viewer are associatedwith a third set of attributes, including: a viewer comment on-airattribute, selectable by the viewer authoring the post, indicating thatthe comment may be shared; and a viewer comment ban attribute indicatingwhether the associated viewer comment is to be banned from inclusionamong comments to a viewer post.
 29. A system for providingviewer-authored content for broadcast presentation in conjunction with abroadcast of a media program by a provider of the media programcomprising: a viewer device, comprising a viewer device processor; aviewer device memory, communicatively coupled to the processor; a viewerauthored content acquisition and management system (VACAMS) comprising:a VACAMS processor; a VACAMS memory, coupled to the VACAMS processor,the memory storing a plurality of instructions comprising instructionsfor: (a) receiving viewer registration information uniquely associatedwith a viewer via an application stored in the viewer device memory andexecuting on the viewer device processor, the application for collectingthe viewer registration information, viewer-authored content andviewer-authored content metadata associated with the viewer-authoredcontent; (b) receiving the viewer-authored content and theviewer-authored content metadata in a content management system; (c)processing the viewer authored content according to the viewer authoredcontent metadata to generate the viewer-derived content; (d) queuing theviewer-derived content with other viewer-derived content derived fromviewer-authored content from other viewers for consideration for thebroadcast presentation in conjunction with the broadcast of the mediaprogram; (e) accepting a determination of whether the viewer-derivedcontent complies with broadcast regulations or quality standards; (f)accepting a selection of the viewer-derived content for broadcastpresentation in conjunction with the live broadcast of the media programif the viewer-derived content complies with the broadcast regulations orthe quality standards; and (g) providing the viewer-derived content inconjunction with the live broadcast of the media program for broadcast.